Date is Set: EA Sports announces College Football 26 will be released. The videogame series had an 11-year hiatus after Electronic Arts (EA) was sued by former college football players who argued their name, image and likeness (NIL) were used without permission or compensation.

EA Sports has officially announced that College Football 26 will launch on July 10, 2025, continuing the revival of its popular college football video game series. This release follows the huge success of College Football 25, which marked the franchise’s return after more than a decade.

The series was dormant for 11 years following the release of NCAA Football 14 in 2013. EA Sports paused development after a lawsuit by former college athletes who argued their name, image, and likeness (NIL) had been used without permission or payment.

The reintroduction of NIL policies in college athletics paved the way for the series’ comeback. With legal frameworks now allowing athletes to be compensated for their likeness, EA Sports resumed production and launched College Football 25 to massive success.

In College Football 25, players who opted in to be part of the game received $600 and a free copy. This compensation model helped EA avoid past legal issues and garnered support from current athletes eager to be featured.

The approach proved to be a winning formula. College Football 25 went on to become the highest-grossing sports video game ever based on total dollar sales, signaling huge demand and enthusiasm from fans and players alike.

Building on that momentum, EA Sports is significantly increasing player compensation for College Football 26. According to Chris Vannini of The Athletic, players who appear in the new game will receive $1,500 each, more than doubling last year’s payment.

In addition to the cash payout, players will also receive a Deluxe Edition of the game as part of their compensation. As in the previous edition, some players will also serve as brand ambassadors and be paid additional promotional fees.

On3’s Pete Nakos reported that several high-profile players participated in the promotional shoot for the upcoming game, including Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, Florida’s DJ Lagway, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Alabama’s Ryan Williams, among others.

Coaches from major programs like Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, and Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin also took part in the Rose Bowl shoot, adding even more star power to the promotional efforts surrounding College Football 26.

10. Last year’s edition featured Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Michigan RB Donovan Edwards, and Colorado DB Travis Hunter on the cover. With buzz already building, expectations are sky-high for College Football 26 to be another landmark release in the series.